The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Frustration for Garcia, but Stenson battles through injury
Sergio Garcia climbed into the Barry Burn to play his ball during a frustrating first round at Carnoustie.
The Spaniard, beaten in a play-off at the Angus links in 2007, found the hazard as he played the par-four 10th hole during his opening 75.
With the water relatively shallow, Garcia climbed down the concrete banking to play a shot and avoid a penalty drop.
He successfully lifted the ball over the wall but still had to settle for a bogey, one of six during the day as he finished on four over par.
Garcia said: “I hit my driver. I never thought it was going to get to the burn. Obviously, it must have just rolled in.
“But I did get it out. There was one little rock behind the ball. If that little rock had not been there, I’m sure I could have got on the green.”
Henrik Stenson was satisfied with his first round after overcoming injury to compete.
The 2016 champion’s preparations were hampered by an elbow problem that forced him to miss last week’s Scottish Open.
The Swede carded a oneunder-par 70.
The 42-year-old said: “I’m happy with the score.
“I’m happy with a fighting performance.
“I feel like I’m behind on practice and playing and preparation.
“We’re just trying to do the best with what we have and what we can do, and we’ll see where it takes us.
“The elbow is OK. It’s not 100% but it’s good enough to play, obviously.
“Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here this week.”